DELIGHTED Dave Titterton admitted he faced his biggest managerial decision as Stourport Swifts won their first game of the season on Saturday.

The new Swifts boss chose to drop veteran Jan Mulders and bring Dave Davies back from injury to partner Parfait Medou-Otye in central defence.

But, despite Mulders' recent good form, the move worked as Swifts beat Bedworth 1-0 for three vital Dr Martens Western Division points.

Titterton, who this week signed ex-Redditch midfield competitor Craig Harris, said: "It was a very hard decision which I didn't make until I got to the ground on Saturday.

"Jan had done very well over the last few games but I went for Dave. He wasn't happy about being dropped but his reaction was what I wanted to see.

"We got the result and we are creating competition for places all round. It was a great relief to get the first win and the lads were upbeat at the end.

"We had a five-minute chat and I told them it was only the start. Four points out of the first six is what I wanted and the players have certainly grafted hard."

Titterton also suffered his first blow as Swifts manager when he missed out on Ilkeston Town centre-back Gavin Stone who he tried to sign last week.

The ex-Tottenham Hotspur youngster was keen on a loan move but opted for Premier Division Halesowen Town when they stepped in.

However, busy Titterton has put a seven-day approach in for another Premier player and is confident of clinching the signing.

He also has young Aston Villa midfielder John Malpass on trial at Walshes Meadow.

Swifts travel to Rocester in the league on Saturday with Titterton expecting a battle against their fellow strugglers who have drawn the last two games at Mangotsfield and Racing Club Warwick.

He was happy with the debuts of new signings Michael Moore, Leon Blake and John Cotterill at the weekend though Frenchman Alexis Jerome Vilocy was missing with an ankle injury.

Harris, a friend of Swifts number two Kevin Sweeney, goes straight into the squad at Rocester.

Swifts host county rivals Bromsgrove Rovers in the Dr Martens Cup on Tuesday (7.45pm).